Accessing Mental Health Support for Students

3 min readFeb 1, 2021

by Amira Gucher-Blackman

Lockdown has had an extreme impact on student mental health. Mental health amongst students has risen and there is a high demand for student mental health services at university as well as outside of universities. Student counselling services are often oversubscribed and more often than not there is a long waiting list which can last up to six months.

This blog will offer a number of other support services available to students who are struggling with their mental health. If you are finding life difficult and feel that counselling would be helpful to you, I highly recommend that you get in touch with your university tutor or contact the mental health services directly. They will inform you of what services are available to you.

If you are feeling low make sure to make the most of the services available. Talking about your mental health for some might be uncomfortable at the start and you may feel alone but many students are in the same position. In 2020 1 in 4 students experienced mental health problems and 1 in 5 students had a current mental health diagnosis. Many students are experiencing similar feelings, so you are not alone. If you’re struggling with your mental health, talk to people and seek out support services. If you don’t want to contact the university well-being services, then there are many other options that are available that are anonymous which I have linked below.

If you have contacted the mental health services at your university and are on a waiting list to see a student counsellor then here are a few online support services that may help in the meantime. Please find below a list of support groups, services and useful links that I hope you find useful!

Mental Health Support Services:

University Well-being Service

By contacting student well-being services, you can apply for counselling supplied by the university (for free!!!). They can also recommend other services which may be helpful.

Together all

Together all is an anonymous online mental health community designed to help people express their thoughts and feelings in an environment where they will be supported. Together all also offers an option to sign up for a 1 to 1 therapy session via a webcam, audio or messaging.

Head Space

Head space is a great app that I recommend to all students! The app uses meditation and relaxation to help manage stress, reduce anxiety and keep the mind peaceful.

Student Minds

Student minds is an online support service that helps students to cope with their mental health. It offers a number of recommendations and healthy lifestyle habits for better mental health.

Survivors Network

Survivors Network is a support service for anyone that has experienced any sexual violence and abuse. They offer 1 to 1 support and counselling sessions (offered remotely due to corona).

The Rock Clinic

The Rock Clinic is based in Brighton and offers low-cost counselling sessions.

Links:

Brighton University well-being support:

https://www.brighton.ac.uk/brighton-students/your-student-life/my-wellbeing/need-to-speak-to-someone/index.aspx

Sussex University well-being support:

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/wellbeing/

Together All

https://account.v2.togetherall.com/log-in?continue=https%3A%2F%2Faccount.v2.togetherall.com%2F404

Head Space:

https://www.headspace.com/

Student Minds: